Anaphylactoid Syndrome of Pregnancy: A Devastating Complication Requiring Intensive Care

In the United States, anaphylactoid syndrome of pregnancy, previously known as amniotic fluid embolism, is a leading cause of maternal mortality.¹ This poorly understood and rare phenomenon usually occurs without warning. Women with anaphylactoid syndrome of pregnancy are critically ill and, if they survive the initial phase of this disorder, will require admission to an intensive care unit (ICU). Anaphylactoid syndrome of pregnancy occurs in 1 of 20000 to 1 of 80 000 pregnancies.² Maternal mortality related to this syndrome ranges from 26% to 61%; however, as few as 15% may survive without neurological impairment.^3,4 Of all affected patients, 50% die within the first hour.⁵ Although 79% of neonates survive, 50% of these infants are neurologically impaired.³ Most military hospitals do not have a dedicated obstetric ICU, so medical and surgical ICU nurses must be prepared to care for these patients.

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